LACO Pilot Baumuster B Special Edition (Forum Project Wach) - Discussion

[BRUCE]

Seconded. Also Joihn's view that if one wants the stem, one might as well get the 55mm replica.

My Stowa FO LE has a nice onion crown, and looks historical enough.

Here is a picture of Stowa FO LE from Suso 2 days ago. Crown looks good to me. I would be interested in what one sees when the Crown is out in set (Hack/stop) position, and how well it would be supported in ours for that essential precision look and feel. Is Laco capable of equalling Stowa in this department?

[Paulo]

Here's mine. I don't see a point in making it equal to the Stowa, Laco has a different style of crown IMO.

[hotnerd]

The proposed case finish is sandblasted as shown in the mock up picture.

I can make a request for similar finish to that of 55mm to Laco.
I am sure we will find out soon if it possible and if there will be any additional cost.

I have also sent the request for fatter minute hand but due to holiday we will hear back from Laco tomorrow.

I'd like to state again as most of you have stated that we are trying to make modifications as much as possible within the given budget for the watch. There will not be 100% changes as we have proposed but it will still be a custom special edition with manual wind "B" dial from Laco

Cheers,
Bhanu

[BRUCE]

Here's mine. I don't see a point in making it equal to the Stowa, Laco has a different style of crown IMO.

My only point being that a rather conservative, properly sized, rather symetrical shaped Crown is absolutely a viable solution IMHO. I was more trying to show agreement with several members here than trying to duplicate Stowa's beautiful work. I do think we should insist that whatever is done, when the Crown is pulled out, it looks and feels very substantial. I have not seen what Laco may do. I think at this time I will join Eric H in watchful waiting for what our production partner Laco feels comfortable with. We are doing something good here.

[reinman60]

If we end up with a watch that has the following, I'll be very happy :

The historically correct lume pattern
Fatter hands
A real onion crown, similar to the one that Mike found, without extended stem
Dull, bead blasted finish

As far as the outer white circle is concerned, I guess I'm indifferent. I've never seen a real B-Uhr in the flesh, and I haven't seen the 55 mm. Laco replica either, so I don't know how the watch actually looks with the outer white circle. Judging from the comments in the previous posts, it seems that the difference the white circle makes is so small and subtle as to be virtually unnoticeable. So, whatever is decided in that regard, I'm happy.

On a different note, once the design of the watch is finalized and its in production, I'm going to get in touch with Laco and find out if they can obtain real blued hands for the watch, and what the costs and lead time will be. I'll report back, and that way, anybody who wants this option will be able to decide individually whether its worth the money to them. Myself, I'd like a set of blued hands if its at all possible. I think they're quite beautiful and add another dimension of historical authenticity. I sure it would be no problem for a local watchmaker to swap out the hands.

As I said above, I'm going to wait and contact Laco after the watch design is finalized so that there is no confusion about this being a part of the project. I'm merely making an individual request on behalf of myself and anybody else who may be interested.

[daviswalker]

I'll add my vote for the outer white circle, but I agree that the fatter hands and real onion crown are more important to get right.

Dave

[Paulo]

My only point being that a rather conservative, properly sized, rather symetrical shaped Crown is absolutely a viable solution IMHO. I was more trying to show agreement with several members here than trying to duplicate Stowa's beautiful work. I do think we should insist that whatever is done, when the Crown is pulled out, it looks and feels very substantial. I have not seen what Laco may do. I think at this time I will join Eric H in watchful waiting for what our production partner Laco feels comfortable with. We are doing something good here.

Looking at this page http://www.qahill.com/tz/b-uhr/ I see the Stowa has a real symetrical onion crown, but Laco's isn't like that, something like a top flatened onion or tronco-conic, not symetrical at all.

IMO it's much more similar to the one Laco is proposing than the Stowa's onion style you are requesting. The difference becomes obvious when you see it side to side.

[Crusader]

As far as the outer white circle is concerned, I guess I'm indifferent. I've never seen a real B-Uhr in the flesh, and I haven't seen the 55 mm. Laco replica either, so I don't know how the watch actually looks with the outer white circle. Judging from the comments in the previous posts, it seems that the difference the white circle makes is so small and subtle as to be virtually unnoticeable. So, whatever is decided in that regard, I'm happy.

Exactly. As the white line in question is nowhere near as thick as the other white lines of the dial, I don't think it constitutes a key design element. As opposed to the other dial markings, it is not functional, IMHO, and hence of lesser importance.

On a different note, once the design of the watch is finalized and its in production, I'm going to get in touch with Laco and find out if they can obtain real blued hands for the watch, and what the costs and lead time will be. I'll report back, and that way, anybody who wants this option will be able to decide individually whether its worth the money to them. Myself, I'd like a set of blued hands if its at all possible. I think they're quite beautiful and add another dimension of historical authenticity. I sure it would be no problem for a local watchmaker to swap out the hands.

As I said above, I'm going to wait and contact Laco after the watch design is finalized so that there is no confusion about this being a part of the project. I'm merely making an individual request on behalf of myself and anybody else who may be interested.

I think it is an excellent idea to start a second project of flame-blued hands as a retrofit, but to keep that separate from our affordable-Laco project which can come to fruition much earlier than the hands can be blued. Perhaps the "fatter minute hand" is an aspect that, if it cannot be considered for the watch, would be possible if the blued hands have to be special-ordered anyway ...

[Hary]

But I am afraid if we follow the original Laco crown, the stem might be too long and become fragile/uncomfortable. I don't mind having the Stowa crown on this

[Paulo]

My point is just about the crown shape, onion shape isn't a Laco design feature.

I'm against a longer stem, as I've previously made clear LACO Pilot Baumuster B Special Edition (Forum Project Wach) - Discussion